Mick McDermott stands on the training pitch in Providence, Rhode Island, where the air carries echoes of his past—college soccer on a scholarship, a young romance with Karla, who played volleyball at the same university, and a life unknowingly building toward a World Cup. Now 52, the Belfast native is back in this quiet New England city, not as a student, but as performance coordinator for Ghana’s national team at the 2026 World Cup, working once again alongside manager Carlos Queiroz. "To go from Belfast, to Rhode Island, to the Middle East, to Glentoran, to Qatar, to Cobh Ramblers, to Ghana and back to Rhode Island in 30 years is an interesting story and I'm glad to get the chance to share it," McDermott says, his journey a testament to the unpredictable beauty of football’s global tapestry. His return to Providence is more than poetic—it’s a full-circle moment in a career shaped by chance, connection, and relentless adaptability. A qualified schoolteacher, McDermott nearly took a classroom job before accepting a coaching position at the University of Oregon, which led to an unexpected offer in Abu Dhabi. That break opened the door to a decade-long collaboration with Queiroz, beginning in 2011 when a mutual contact linked them during Queiroz’s Iran appointment. Since then, McDermott has served on staff for Iran (twice), Qatar, and now Ghana, missing only brief stints at Colombia and Egypt—during which he led Glentoran to an Irish Cup victory. Appointed in April, the Ghana coaching staff had just one full training session with their complete 26-man squad before their opening match. Yet, against the odds, the Black Stars pulled off a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto, sealed by Caleb Yirenkyi’s 95th-minute strike. Off the pitch, McDermott has been struck by the team’s spirit—especially their pre-match traditions. "The night before we played Panama, after training, they had a prayer and a song. It started on the pitch, carried on the 30-minute bus ride, and went on for an hour and a half in the hotel. My foot started tapping!" he recalls, smiling. Now, Ghana faces England in Foxborough—a daunting task after the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia. But with momentum on their side and the pressure lifted, McDermott sees opportunity. "It’s a free one for us," he says. And as the squad unites through song and solidarity, it’s clear this team is playing for more than results—it’s about belief, rhythm, and the joy of the game.